CLUB NOTES
LONDON YOUTH COMMITTEE
The next meeting London Youth Committee meeting will take place on Monday, June 20 at 8.30pm at the Irish TV GAA Grounds, West End Road, Ruislip, HA4 6QX. U14 Division A Final in Ruislip on Monday the 6th of June 2016; Congratulations to Parnells who defeated a strong Dulwich Harps team in the U14 Division A football final in Ruislip on Monday the 6th of June. A very close, nail-biting game with Parnells coming out the strongest when the final whistle was blown by the Referee John Doyle. Thanks to London Youths Secretary Joel McInern for making the presentation on the evening. Full time score Parnells 4-07 to Dulwich Harps 3-07. London GAA will run a Safeguarding Course on Saturday, June 18 from 10am-1pm in Ruislip. This course is limited to 25 people and in the interest of fairness, only accept five nominations from each club. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so please contact the CDA Lloyd Colfer 07872600073 if you are interested in attending. Finally, under the new guidelines from the Provincial Council of Britain GAA, anyone involved with teams that have players under the age of 18 must be DBS certified, complete a Coaching Course and also, a Safeguarding Course so it is imperative that we get as many people as possible to attend these Courses over the coming weeks and months before the season starts as there will be a zero tolerance policy on this from the London County Board and the Provincial Council going forward.
FR MURPHY’S
There was no shortage of camogie played last weekend, starting last Saturday in Birmingham, with the Intermediate Championship. John Mitchel's welcomed Green Isle to Holly Lane, Green Isle who under manager Aidan Power are building a very good team this year. With a twin strike force of Caitriona O’Brien and Ciara Power they look a formidable outfit and despite the best efforts of Noelle Devlin in the full-back line, Green Isle ran out winners on a score of 5-11 to 0-3. John Mitchel's then had to turn around and play Fr Murphy's in the mixed league. For the first 15 minutes the Birmingham girls were well in this game, when disaster struck for the London girls with a serious injury to Tyrone inter-county player Sinead O’Neill, which resulted in her leaving the field.
However, this spurred the Fr Murphy's on and Shona Cunningham was running the show from centre field, with veteran Angie Fogarty a constant threat in the full-forward line, the girls in purple and gold ran out winners on a score of 5-07 to 0-05. Next up, was Wednesday evening, on the carpet-like pitch in Dulwich, Fr Murphy's took on Tara for a place in the League Division 1 semi-final.
A very good, skilful exhibition of all that is good in the game, Shona Cunningham in the middle of the field and Niamh Mc Grath at full back shone for Fr Murphy's, while Helen Murphy gave her usual classy performance for Tara. Murphy's football keeper Elaine Hayes came on in the second-half and slotted over to great points, while goals from Shona Cunningham, Ellie Doyle, Bronagh McLernon and former Wexford player Angie Fogarty, sealed a 4-10 to 1-06 win for the girls in purple and gold.
Games are coming thick and fast now and on Saturday morning Fr Murphy's were out again at Greenford in the league semi-final, facing Croydon, who would have started as warm favourites. Fr Murphy's realised early on that Aisleen Sheehan would not be easily beaten, so they struck over some delightful points through Shona Cunningham and Laura O Hagan, and then two superb efforts from Katie O’Brien.
The Murphy's led at half-time 0-06 to 1-00, but were left wondering if it was enough as they turned to play up the hill and against the breeze. However, points from Angie Fogarty, Hannah Gleeson and Shona Cunningham saw them double their lead. Laura O’Hagan then found Angie Fogarty, who went one-on-one with Aisleen Sheehan and buried the sliothar in the net – a superb goal. Laura O’Hagan then flashed a wicked strike low in to the far corner of the net and it was game over – Fr Murphy's 2-11 Croydon 2-01. Indeed, a busy week for the purple and gold.
Fr Murphy's are now in the league final and await the winners of Green Isle and Croydon Celts.
GLASGOW GAELS
Congratulations to the Scotland team who, with a bare 15, earned a deserved win against Yorkshire to advance to the quarter-final of the British Junior Championship. Best of luck to the lads who will now host Kilkenny on Saturday, June 19, at 3pm at Peterson Park in what should be a memorable match. Also on Saturday, the Gaels ladies will take on Aberdeen in the first round of the Championship, best of luck to Paul and the girls! The club would like to remind everyone of our upcoming Fun Fair in Clydebank on June 19 from 12-4pm. All community members and GAA enthusiasts are very welcome – for more information see our Facebook Event (https://www.facebook.com/events/239314546459600/). Whether you’re a novice or inter-county player, the Gaels are always looking for new players and members. Get in contact if you’re interested: [email protected]. Please see our website: www.glasgowgaels.com for more information and our Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
THOMAS McCURTAINS
It was a relatively quiet weekend for the club with only one team in action. On Saturday last our hurlers recorded a brilliant victory over Granuaile in the league with Podge Ryan having an excellent game. Vacating his usual spot in goals he took up residence in corner forward for this match and managed to bag not one, not two but three goals for his efforts. Congratulations also go to the McCurtains footballers who were on the London junior county panel at the weekend. They beat Gloucestershire 3-16 to 2-03 in Ruislip to qualify for the British Junior Football Championship semi-finals. The club will be hosting a EURO 2016 themed race night on Saturday, June 18 in Tommy Flynn’s Bar & Kitchen, Leytonstone. It is £10 to buy a horse and anybody wishing to do so can contact a member of the club. Horses can be named with a Euro 2016 theme and dress on the night to show your support for your favourite Euro 2016 country, be it Ireland, England or anyone else. Prizes for best name of horse and best outfit on the night. Last year was a huge success and this year should be no different. The Club’s Annual Golf Fundraiser will be held on Saturday July 2, in Stapleford Abbotts Golf Club RM4 1JU.
EIRE OG
This week the first team play a Tara in a crucial league encounter. The match is at 7.30pm in Downhills Park. All support is welcome. Training takes place Tuesdays at 7.30pm at our home ground in Downhills Park, N17 6BP. New players are always very welcome to join our friendly club. If you are moving to London we can assist new players with accommodation and employment. Transport to and from training and pick-up from tube and train stations can be arranged, if you would like to join our club, please contact Jimmy Holly on 0785 854 7295 or check out our website www.eireoglondon.org. We are based in North London and have our own pitch and clubhouse. The club covers a wide catchment area for players and includes; North, East and Central London, the city of London and Westminster, boroughs of Islington, Camden, Haringey, Kilburn, Hackney, along with many other areas.
KILBURN GAELS
Our intermediates battled bravely on Sunday last but were beaten by the Murphys, who had a little more firepower. The Seniors are scheduled to play in Mitcham on Saturday 18th against Sean Treacys in the league. The intermediates will play on Tuesday 21st against the Gabriels at 7:15pm in Scrubs. The next club committee meeting is on Thursday the 16th of June in Highgate after training. The clubs golf day will be held on Saturday 2nd July if you wish to enter a team or sponsor a hole please ring any of the numbers below. We welcome all new members Here are the contact numbers: Tom Bergin (07961 843075) Senior manager, Dan Sutton (07817 558199) & Robert Stakelum (07955104951) Intermediate managers), Tom Kilkenny (07754 455715) Youth manager.
TIR CHONAILL GAELS
The seniors battled their way victory by the narrowest of margins on Sunday evening at Ruislip against The North London Shamrocks. With the Shamrocks getting off to the brighter start, the Gaels got motoring with points from Killian Butler, Liam Gavaghan and John McGrath to take the lead. A fine move started by Phillip Butler at the back culminated in a great goal finished off by Ronan Breen to bring the first-half to a close. The Gaels got off to a good start in the second-half with Adrian Hanlon, McGrath, Gavaghan and Killian Butler keeping the scoreboard ticking over. The game should have been put to bed if not for a penalty saved by the Shamrocks stopper, but the Shamrocks missed a couple of chances of their own and a fortunate last minute goal wasn't enough to overcome the Gaels. Final score 1-10 to 1-09. Best on the day were Liam Gavaghan, Marty McCoy, Killian Butler with manager Lloyd Colfer lining up in defence as well. Next up is Thomas McCurtain's next Sunday at Greenford with a 12.30 throw-in. Meanwhile, TCG Ladies are now through to the Junior Championship final after a great overall team performance against Tara on Sunday. The game got off to a slow start due to bad weather conditions with only two scores from play in the first 15 minutes. TCG then upped the game with great support play from 1-15. Some great balls delivered into Leanne Sweeney and Lisa Walsh rallied the girls to a scoring streak. Trojan work from Ciara O'Brien, delivering ball into the forward line denied Tara’s any chance of come-back. Any chance Tara got to attack they were ferociously pressured by Jess O'Leary and the rest of the half and full back lines. Final score 7-15 to 2-03. TCG look forward to taking on Dulwich Harps in Round 5 of the Championship next Sunday at 11am in TCG. The Ladies are hosting a fundraiser "TCG Eats Everything" which will take place on Saturday, June 25 at the clubhouse. It promises to be a good night's fun with a mix of different eating and drinking challenges!
TARA
A big thanks to all the clubs that turned out on Saturday for Tara annual Blitz a fantastic day of Gaelic football. Tara Youth Summer camp week commencing July 25, 2016. Age group from Reception class to 13 years. Everyone welcome, please email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. Tara Ladies Gaelic Football Club are a friendly club who will help you settle into life in London. New players are welcome. We train Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm at Northolt Rugby Club, Cayton Rd, off Runnymede Gardens, Greenford, Middx, UB6 8BJ. Nearest tube Greenford tube. We have excellent training facilities with a floodlit pitch and changing rooms. New recruits please contact Tara Youth GFC - Tracey Monagle 07535 597 383.
DULWHICH HARPS
The club would like to congratulate London Juniors on their win against Kilkenny in the British Championship. The next round takes place this weekend against Gloucestershire at Ruislip. We wish the team, and the Dulwich lads on the panel, the best of luck. Due to the London Juniors lining out this weekend, the men’s team have no fixture. Training continues on Peckham Rye Common on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. For further information, please contact Alan Grogan on 07472211445. The Ladies recorded their second win against St Anthony’s in the Junior Championship last weekend. Congratulations to Ciara, Catrina, Maeve and Ursula who are part of the London Ladies team who have qualified for the All-Ireland quarter-final.
ST JOSEPHS HERTFORDSHIRE
What an amazing welcome we received from both Clon de Gad GAA and Killimer GAA earlier this month. Our host clubs were so generous with their hospitality, providing refreshments throughout while spectators baked in the 25-degree sunshine. Around 170 players, parents and grandparent from the St Joseph's club travelled over to county Clare to enjoy the fun and sports, and the odd glass of Guinness! Victory was ours, narrowly losing only one game all weekend – Under 16's 5-4 to 6-6 against Clon de gad.
